LASER CONNECTION MODULE

Abstract

A laser connection module including: multiple superposed electrodes connected in alternating order with opposite electricity supply poles; at least one laser diode mounted between the opposite surfaces of consecutive electrodes, making contact with them; an external structure delimiting an open space located along a light-emitting area of the laser diodes and suitable for containing the set of superposed electrodes and laser diodes; at least one tightener mounted on a first end of the external structure and which presses the set of electrodes and laser diodes against a second opposite end of the structure, establishing the fixation and mutual contact thereof; and an intermediate protective plate disposed between the at least one tightener and the end electrode closest to the at least one tightener.

Claims

1. Laser connection module, comprising: several superimposed electrodes, connected in an alternating order with opposite electrical power supply poles; at least one laser diode mounted between facing surfaces of consecutive electrodes, making contact with them; and a means for clamping the assembly of electrodes and laser diodes to each other; wherein the module comprises: an external structure delimiting a space defined by a light emission zone of the laser diodes and suitable for housing the assembly of electrodes and laser diodes, superimposed; a clamping means comprising studs mounted on threaded holes defined in a first end of the external structure, and which presses the assembly of electrodes and laser diodes against a second opposite end of said structure, establishing their fastening and the mutual contact of the laser diodes with the consecutive electrodes and; an intermediate protection plate arranged between the clamping means and the end electrode closest to said clamping means.

2. Module, according to claim 1, wherein the external structure comprises: an upper part forming the first end of the structure; a lower part forming the second end of the structure; a means for fastening said upper and lower parts in a parallel position, said parts being vertically separated at a suitable distance for the unconstricted housing of the assembly of electrodes and laser diodes between said upper and lower parts.

3. Module, according to claim 2, wherein the means for fastening the upper and lower parts of the structure comprises fastening screws.

4. Module, according to claim 3, wherein the fastening means comprises tubular spacers, arranged between the upper and lower parts of the structure and mounted on the fastening screws.

5. Module, according to claim 3, wherein the laser connection module comprises the means for aligning the successive electrodes in a vertical direction, comprising pins housed in vertical holes aligned for this purpose in the successive electrodes and in at least one of the upper and lower parts of the structure.

6. Module, according to claim 3, wherein the laser diodes are arranged between front ends of the electrodes, the module comprising electrically insulating spacers located between consecutive rear ends of said electrodes and of a thickness similar to that of the laser diodes.

7. Module, according to claim 6, wherein clamping means comprises front studs which press the front end of the electrodes against the laser chips, and rear studs which press the rear end of the electrodes against the electrically insulating spacers.

8. Module, according to claim 2, wherein the means for fastening the upper and lower parts of the structure comprises guide columns arranged between the upper and lower parts and fastened at their ends, by means of screws, to said upper and lower parts.

9. Module, according to claim 8, wherein the electrodes have recesses in their contour which are of a configuration complementary to a portion of the section of the guide columns and of a suitable configuration for assembling the electrodes as a sliding element between said guide columns, without the use of spacers; said guide columns simultaneously forming a means for separating the upper and lower parts of the structure and a means for vertically aligning the electrodes.

10. Module, according to claim 9, wherein the studs forming the clamping means are arranged in a centered position with respect to the assembly of electrodes and laser diodes.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] To complement the description being made and in order to provide a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the description herein is accompanied by drawings, as an integral part of the same, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a perspective exploded view of an example of an embodiment of the laser connection module, the subject matter of the invention, provided with a single laser diode.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the laser connection module of FIG. 1, once assembled.

[0039] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show front, side and top elevation views, respectively, of the laser connection module of the preceding figures, in an assembled position.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment variant of the laser connection module according to the invention, which in this case comprises multiple laser diodes alternating with respective electrodes.

[0041] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the laser connection module of FIG. 6, once assembled.

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a perspective exploded view of an embodiment variant of the laser connection module, in which the structure includes guide columns that are part of the means for fastening the upper and lower parts and vertically aligning the electrodes.

[0043] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the laser connection module of FIG. 8, in an assembled position.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0044] In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the adopted numbering, two non-limiting embodiment examples of the recommended laser connection module can be seen, comprising the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

[0045] In the embodiment example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the laser connection module (1) comprises: electrodes (2) connected in an alternating order with opposite poles of electrical power supply; a spacer (3) arranged between the facing surfaces of the consecutive electrodes (2) to prevent their direct contact and short-circuit, a laser diode (4) mounted between the facing surfaces of consecutive electrodes (2), making contact with them in the area left free by the corresponding spacer (3); and a clamping means (6) for clamping the assembly of electrodes (2) and laser diodes (4) to each other.

[0046] The spacer (3) has a smaller surface than the facing surfaces of the electrodes (2).

[0047] According to the invention, the module (1) comprises an external structure (5) delimiting a space defined by a light emission zone of the laser diode (4) and suitable for housing the electrode assembly (2) and laser diodes (4); the clamping means (6) is mounted on a first end of the structure (5) and presses the assembly of electrodes (2) and laser diodes (4) against a second opposite end of said structure, establishing their fastening and the mutual contact of the laser diodes (4) with the consecutive electrodes (2).

[0048] The module (1) comprises, between the clamping means (6) and the end electrode (2) closest to said clamping means (6), an intermediate plate (50) protecting said end electrode (2).

[0049] The external structure (5) comprises:—an upper part (a) forming the first end of the structure (5) and provided with threaded holes (55) in which studs (60) are mounted forming part of the clamping means (6),—a lower part (b) forming the second end of the structure (5), and—a means for fastening said upper (a) and lower (b) parts in a parallel position, vertically separated at a suitable distance for the unconstricted housing of the electrode and laser diode assembly between said upper and lower parts.

[0050] In this first embodiment, the means for fastening the upper (a) and lower (b) parts of the external structure (5) comprises fastening screws (51) mounted, with the insertion of washers (54), in through holes (52) defined in the upper part (a) and inserted into threaded holes (53) of the lower part (b), allowing an adjustment of the gap between the upper (a) and lower (b) parts of the external structure (5).

[0051] The module (1) has connectors (7) for a wiring (not shown) of the electrical power supply of the electrodes (2), and internal conduits (10) for the circulation of a cooling product.

[0052] In this embodiment, the module (1) includes a means for vertically aligning the successive electrodes (2), consisting of pins (8) housed in vertical holes made for this purpose in the successive electrodes (2) and in the upper (a) and lower (b) parts of the external structure (5); seals (9) are interposed between these elements to prevent leakage.

[0053] In said embodiment, the laser diodes (4) are arranged between the front ends of the electrodes (2), and the spacers (3), electrically insulating and of a similar thickness to the laser diodes (4), are arranged between consecutive rear ends of the electrodes (2).

[0054] In this particular embodiment the clamping means comprises: front studs (60) which press the front end of the electrodes (2) against the laser diodes (4), and rear studs (61) which press the rear end of the electrodes (2) against the electrically insulating spacers (3).

[0055] In the first embodiment variant, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the laser connection module has a configuration similar to that described above, incorporating in this case a larger number of electrodes (2) and laser diodes (4) stacked in an alternating order.

[0056] In this embodiment, the means for fastening the upper (a) and lower (b) parts of the structure (5) comprises tubular spacers (56), arranged between said upper (a) and lower (b) parts and mounted on the fastening screws (51), said tubular spacers (56) being precisely those that determine the separation between the upper (a) and lower (b) parts.

[0057] In FIGS. 8 and 9, the means for fastening the upper (a) and lower (b) parts of the structure (5) comprises guide columns (57) arranged between the upper (a) and lower (b) parts, and fastened at their ends by means of screws (58) to said upper and lower parts.

[0058] In this embodiment, the electrodes (2) have recesses (21) in their contour, said recesses being of a complementary configuration to a portion of the section of the guide columns (57) and suitable for the mounting of the electrodes (2), as a sliding element, between the guide columns; said guide columns (57) forming simultaneously a means for separating the upper (a) and lower (b) parts of the structure and a means for vertically aligning the electrodes (2).

[0059] The use of these guide columns (57) is advantageous with respect to the previous embodiments, since it allows elimination of the pins (8) and arrangement of the studs (60), forming the clamping means (6), in a centered position with respect to the assembly of electrodes (2) and laser diodes (4), avoiding the use of the electrically insulating spacers (3) and of a second set of studs (61) for pressing the electrodes (2) against said spacers (3).

[0060] Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention and having given an example of a preferred embodiment, it is hereby stated for pertinent purposes that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements described may be modified, provided there is no alteration of the essential features of the invention claimed below.